03/12/2026
For our next People of Neighborhood Resilience Project, we introduce Brittany.
I was born and raised in Pittsburgh, mostly on the North Side. I’ve lived in different parts of the city, but I always end up back there. It just feels like home to me. What I love about the North Side is how easy it is to get places and, honestly, the sense of community. People really look out for each other. There’s a saying that the North Side is for life, and I really believe that. I spent some of my childhood in the Manchester area, and when I think back on it, what stands out the most is how connected I felt to the people around me and how much that shaped who I am.
One of the biggest moments in my childhood was when my grandmother passed away and my family became homeless for a time. That experience changed me. I met so many people and learned their stories, and it gave me a real understanding of what it means to pay it forward. Without programs that help families during hard times, I don’t think we would have been able to get back on our feet the way we did. We finally got our home again when I was about fourteen. Ever since then, I’ve always tried to give back in whatever way I can, because I know what it feels like to need help and not be sure where it’s going to come from.
I do believe in God, even though I don’t go to church all the time. I try to keep things simple. To me, the most important rule about being human is just to be a good person. That really guides how I live and how I show up for other people. I’m also a former pastry chef, and I like to say my job has always been about making people feel special. I get to be part of birthdays, celebrations, and important moments, and I love that. I have a daughter who is about to turn four, and becoming a mom made me step back from work for a while, but it also reminded me even more how important it is to take care of each other.
I first got involved with the Neighborhood Resilience Project because my best friend and I went to culinary school together, and she asked if I could help out when they were short staffed. I immediately fell in love with the mission, especially helping with food insecurity for kids. No child should ever be hungry. One of the most meaningful moments for me is doing deliveries and seeing how grateful the schools, teachers, and kids are, especially when funding has been cut and everyone is still trying their best. One of the hardest moments was when someone became really upset about what they received from the food pantry. They were yelling, but I could tell they were just hurting. Being able to slow things down and treat them with kindness really stuck with me. If someone is thinking about coming here, I would say just do it. It’s good energy, good people, and everyone working together to help each other out. You won’t regret it.